In the study of butterfly diversity in the Sasthamkotta Lake of Kollam, Kerala, a total of 50 species was recorded. The species identifid were of the family Pieridae (17), followed by Nymphalidae (11), Lycaenidae (9), Papilionidae (9), Hesperidae (3), and Riodinidae (1). About eight of these species are listed under the protection category of the Indian Wildlife Act 1972. The findings highlight the ecological importance of Sasthamkotta as an important habitat supporting a rich biodiversity of butterflies.
Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn (Family, Lamiaceae), extracts of acetone, methanol and aqueous evaluated against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say, showed promising results. Acetone leaf extract recorded an LC50 value of 345.41ppm, and was found effective for the management of Cu. quinquefasciatus. In vitro cytotoxic analysis of L929 mouse cell lines using the plant extract proved safe for non-target organisms, higher vertebrates. Phytochemical screening of the acetone extract revealed the presence of secondary metabolites that may have contributed to its insecticidal activity.
Annual life history of Earias vittella (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera, Nolidae), was investigated under natural laboratory conditions in the mid-hill region of Himachal Pradesh, India, during 2023–2024. The insect completed five overlapping generations annually. The duration of the active generations ranged from 31.6 to 34.6 days, whereas the overwintering generation exhibited a markedly prolonged developmental period of 200.4–229.5 days. The mean incubation, larval and pupal periods during the active generations were 3.4 ± 0.05, 14.0 ± 0.44 and 8.3 ± 0.24 days, respectively, while the overall mean developmental period was 87.7 ± 38.7 days. Adult females survived longer than males, with mean longevities of 6.1 ± 0.20 and 5.3 ± 0.10 days, respectively. Mean fecundity was 147.8 ± 21.60 eggs per female but declined markedly during the overwintering generation. Egg, larval and pupal survival were also reduced under winter conditions, resulting in lower growth indices than those recorded during the active generations. The findings demonstrate that seasonal temperature profoundly influences the annual life history, survival and reproductive potential of E. vittella. The study provides baseline information for forecasting pest incidence and developing timely, location-specific integrated pest management strategies for okra under the mid-hill agroclimatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh.
The insecticidal efficacy of Valeriana jatamansi and Isodon rugosus was evaluated against the bean weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say), a pest of Phaseolus vulgaris L. The rhizome and leaves extracts from V. jatamansi and I. rugosus were prepared by using both acetone and methanol solvents and five concentrations of each extract were evaluated for its effectiveness in inducing adult mortality of the adult weevils. Acetone and methanol extracts of V. jatamansi rhizome and I. rugosus leaves at 12 per cent concentration exhibited 100 per cent mortality of adult bean weevils on the 7th and 8th day, respectively. As the concentration of the extracts escalated from 4 to 12 percent, the death rate also correspondingly increased.
Three species of short-horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae) - Patanga succincta, Aiolopus thalassinus tamulus, and Eucoptacra praemorsa are reported for the first time from Nagaland, north-east India. These new distributional records are based on specimens collected during surveys conducted in 2024 and examined using standard morphological characters. The findings add to the limited knowledge of Acrididae diversity in the Nagaland region.
